Posts Tagged ‘college planning’

What many new college students don’t know about debt is that it builds up fast. It may seem like just a loan or two at first but by the end of four years (or more) it really adds up. One great avenue that people forget is the local community colleges. Community colleges often offer the same great basic classes at the same level as four year colleges but for much more affordable prices. Many people can even get full coverage from government grants and get money back from attending community college. Not only that, but classes tend to be smaller and more personal and it is easier to get help those first few critical years.
Beyond just the price, however, community college is also worthwhile because it is much easier to transfer into your school of choice then it is to get in as a freshman. You have already proven that you can handle the workload and keep your grades up, so there is no reason for them not to accept you. In state colleges almost universally accept the classes you take at community colleges, so that is not an issue either.
Community college can also be a money saver because you can live at home with your parents or in affordable housing nearby. Many university towns have high prices because of the exclusive student housing, but community colleges do not have that issue.
There are many reasons to choose to attend a two year community college. You can get an associate’s degree and complete your basics for an affordable price close to home and avoid racking up all that student loan debt. Check out your local community college today!

About the Author:
Ken Myers is an expert advisor on in-home care & related family safety issues to many websites and groups. He is a regular contributor to www.gonannies.com. You can get contact him at kmyers.ceo@gmail.com.

Increasing college and university costs make decision-making more and more pertinent for younger students.

Tuition outpaces the rate of inflation and has for more than 30 years. With most colleges and universities releasing data that indicates increases at 5 percent to 6 percent in tuition and fees, most students need to stick with a four-year plan of attack. Students unsure of majors can cost themselves or their parents for a fifth year of college. In today’s money, for tuition alone, a fifth year of college at a private institution will cost $35,636 (including room and board) and at a public institution, $15,213 (including room and board at an in-state rates).

While there seems to be no end in sight for increasing college costs, being better prepared when entering those college or university doors may mean big savings. According to MyMajors.com founder Dr. Fritz Grupe, failing to get started on time with a highly structured major such as engineering or computer science, may make an extra year of studies necessary, costing not only an extra year of tuition, but also books, lodging and meals, lost wages and a delay in beginning “real” life.

Grupe says about 80 percent of incoming first-year students lack focus and that indecision can be expensive. To help undecided students, especially those finishing the last couple of years in high school, Grupe created an interactive Web site that unites school experience and personal values to recommend majors. The majors are for consideration and direction, plus the site features other information about coursework and the jobs they could lead to and other resources to find success in those specific majors.

Grupe says most students can be helped, including those who fall into categories like “naïve,” “indecisives,” and “the clueless.” These are students that think they know what career they would like, but careers and majors are not the same things. Perhaps they cannot see how to make the transition from the career they want to a major that will get them there. Maybe they simply do not know what majors are available. Or they are students who waffle on all decisions and are overwhelmed under the weight of so much data. Still others lack direction.

The Web site www.MyMajors.com may just be that resource designed to aid students and to recommend majors that appear to be good ones based on the student’s high school experience and personal values. In providing direction, Grupe’s creation may provide tangible savings for the student and parents.